The history of Los Angeles is essentially the history of growth and
many recreational and other facilities have been compromised by the pressures
of growth. (For example, have you ever noticed how many Los Angeles parks
have freeways running through them?)

Early in the century, the river was used as a public right-of-way for
bringing electrical power into the city.

In the 1930s and 40s, the river was encased in concrete as a flood control
measure. For decades, Angelenos were dissuaded from getting near the river
because of the very real danger of falling into the rushing water during
a rainstorm.

In the 1950s, the Golden State Freeway (I-5) was built next to the river,
isolating it further. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of this was that the
river was largely cut off from Griffith Park.

For decades, city maps referred to the river simply as a flood control
channel.

Today, however, there is a growing consensus that the river can continue
to do its necessary flood control work while also serving as a recreational
resource. Below, two SS127 students, Celia Altamirano and Alberto Ruiz
(along with a neighbor boy they brought for the walk) enjoy one of the
mini-parks being established on the banks of the river. [NEXT][BACK]